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A registry-based twin study of depression in men
M J Lyons1, S A Eisen, J Goldberg
1Harvard Institute of Psychiatric Epidemiology and Genetics, USA.
Archives of General Psychiatry
|May 22, 1998
Summary
Genetic and environmental factors influence depression in men, similar to women. Early-onset depression shows higher heritability, suggesting a stronger genetic link in younger men.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Behavioral Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Previous large-scale twin studies on depression lacked male participants.
- This study addresses the gap by examining depression in men using a registry-based approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic and environmental influences on depression in men.
- To compare findings in men with previous studies on women.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry, interviewing 3372 male twin pairs.
- Employed proband-wise concordance rates and biometric modeling for data analysis.
- Assessed major depression (MD) and dysthymia using DSM-III-R criteria via standardized telephone interviews.
Main Results:
- Major depression (MD) and severe/psychotic MD were influenced by genetic (h2=0.36-0.39) and nonshared environmental factors.
- Dysthymia and mild/moderate MD were primarily influenced by family (c2=0.27-0.14) and nonshared environmental factors.
- Early-onset MD (before 30) was significantly more heritable (h2=0.47) than late-onset MD (h2=0.10).
Conclusions:
- Genetic and environmental influences on depression in men mirror those found in women.
- More severe and early-onset depression appear more strongly influenced by genetic factors.
- Potential reporting biases may affect heritability estimates for less severe depression.